Pages

Friday, March 8, 2013

There is no better day than today to celebrate strength,
perseverance, forward-movement, and beauty. Why, you ask? Because today is
International Women’s Day. It’s a day wholly dedicated to the many incredibly
powerful, sophisticated, intelligent, and thoroughly capable women around the
world, a day we can all stand together in recognition of one another, with
pride in how far we have come since our initial fight to secure our own claim
in the workplace, government, military, and otherwise. So many women have
contributed to the dozens of advancements our society has been fortunate enough
to accomplish over the years, and I am so proud to have learned from those
women, and to have been given the opportunity to reap the benefits of their
hard work, as well as to continue on that work for the future generation of women
of our nation.

I absolutely love that there is a day dedicated to my fellow
everyday women, and I couldn’t help but throw together a post of some of my
biggest female inspirations (my mother and sister are a given, but I’ll give
them a shout out too!).

1.Shonda Rhimes

Never before has there been a television powerhouse like Ms.
Shonda. With a career spanning just 18 years young, she has achieved
unprecedented success as a screenwriter, director and producer. If you think
you don’t know her work, just think Grey’s
Anatomy- yup, that’s her baby. Now think Scandal-my latest obsession to end all obsessions. Yeah, she’s incredibly
awesome. She’s my biggest writing inspiration and I so want to be like Shonda
when I grow up!

2. Alice Paul

You can't talk women's rights and not think of Alice Paul. She took suffrage to degrees that our world hadn’t seen-
nay, expected or even thought possible. It’s because of her efforts and the
many women that stood beside her that allow us the freedoms that we have today.
I’m forever appreciative of this amazing woman, and the women that weren’t
afraid to stand on the President’s door step (literally) and demand our equal
rights without fear, and with dignity.

3. Meryl Streep

She's beautiful, she's strong, and she continues to redefine what it means to be a Hollywood leading
lady with her work in films like Iron
Lady, and Doubt, all while
remaining graceful, honest, and humble. I love her to pieces.

4. Coretta Scott King

More than just the wife of, more than a recognizable widow, she is the very face of black women of
the civil rights movement. She is the most inspiring lesson of life after
unexpected tragedy and forward movement. She’s inspired me all my life to not
allow anyone to define me but me, and she dedicated her life to helping women find
their strength, and take ownership of their own road to empowerment. I swear I
think courage was simply a part of her DNA. She was and still is a woman of
wonder. Long live Coretta.

5. Kerry Washington

Never before has there been anyone like Kerry, nor will
there be long after she’s gone. I’ve mentioned before how much I swoon over
her, how- if ever I’m lucky enough- I fully intend of becoming BFF’s with her
should I ever meet her, and how O-B-S-E-S-S-E-D I am with her latest body of
work, Scandal, but have I mentioned
how courageous she is as an actor? If not, trust me when I say D’jango Unchained serves as proof of her
courage and commitment to her craft, and that is enough to make her a huge
inspiration to me in sticking to what you love, and letting it become as much a
part of you as the skin that shields you. Go Kerry

I can promise you there are so many other women who inspire me each day, but the efforts and spirits of my fellow combat veterans are truly the biggest inspiration of all. All of you deserve your recognition and honor, and I hope today, that you take the time out to honor the women that inspire you.

About Me

Welcome to this blog! Our names are Ayana and Emily and we are wives of Combat Veterans. This blog is all about inspiration, sharing resources, and building a community for combat veteran wives, family members and more. Want to know more about us? Check out our " Meet you bloggers" tab.